By Jondi Gumz
Two cases of coronavirus COVID-19 have been confirmed in Santa Cruz County as of March 9, according to Dr. Gail Newel, County of Santa Cruz Health Officer.
The first, announced March 7, was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship that traveled from San Francisco to Mexico Feb. 11-21 and has been self-quarantined, resting at home, under investigation and observation.
The second, confirmed by testing March 8, is a person with symptoms who had traveled to Seattle, and county public health investigators have concluded the individual likely contracted the virus there before returning home on a commercial flight. This person is in isolation and recovering while public health staff researches potential exposures and notifies contacts.
On March 9, Santa Cruz County Public Health issued social distancing and workplace guidelines, recommending gatherings of more than 50 people be cancelled, and urging residents to prepare for disruption by updating family emergency plans. Click Here to read the full release.
The Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce cancelled its March 12 mixer at Second Harvest Food Bank due to the food bank’s role as a disaster first responder.
All student field trips outside Santa Cruz County have been cancelled and decisions on music and athletic competitions will be made on a case-by-case basis, according to a March 8 letter sent by 11 school superintendents to all families and posted at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. No schools have closed buti f one student, teacher or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 and exposed others at the school , the school will be closed.
The COVID-19 virus.
“Unfortunately, this new case confirms that COVID-19 is present in our community and is not an isolated case,” said Dr. Gail Newel, County of Santa Cruz Health Officer. “I urge all community members to take steps to protect themselves and their families.”
Newel said she anticipates additional local cases as COVID-19 testing becomes available locally at two commercial labs. Testing is not recommended for everyone, just those with coronavirus symptoms such as fever, coughing and shortness of breath. A doctor’s order is required.
She predicted “most cases will be mild,” like the person on the cruise and can recover at home. However, this coronavirus does pose a risk for those over 60 years old and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
The Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center is assisting the Health Services Agency’s Departmental Operations Center, which is managing the response.
Newel issued a declaration of “local health emergency” on March 4, paving the way for a March 10 vote by the Board of Supervisors to access state and federal reimbursements for money spent to respond to coronavirus with testing and monitoring.
On March 4, Congressional leaders approved HR 6074, an $8.3 billion spending package to combat coronavirus, including $3.1 billion for medical supplies, $836 million for research on therapeutics and at least $4 million for each state. After Senate approval, the measure was signed by President Trump the morning of March 6.
About one-quarter of the Santa Cruz County workforce commutes daily to Santa Clara County, which declared an emergency on Feb. 10 after five health care workers at Good Samaritan Hospital were exposed to a patient later confirmed to have coronavirus.
Santa Clara County reported its first COVD-10 death March 9, a woman in her 60s who had been hospitalized, and 37 cases in all.
For general information on COVID-19 call 211, or text coronavirus to 211211, or visit www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus for updates and links to state and federal guidance.